Lewis Hamilton wins BBC Sports Personality of the year 2014

Lewis Hamilton with his dog Roscoe at the BBC Sports Personality of the year awards

Lewis Hamilton became only the fifth racing driver to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year as he beat stiff competition from golfer Rory McIlroy and athlete Jo Pavey at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow. The award capped off a wonderful year for the 29-year-old Mercedes driver as he became only the fourth Briton to be a double World Champion following his Drivers' Championship win in 2014.

It was third time lucky for Hamilton as he won the award for the first time following two previous nominations, where he finished second to boxer Joe Calzaghe in 2007 and then to cyclist Sir Chris Hoy the following year.

The Englishman won 209,920 or roughly 34% of the 620,932 votes that were cast, he was surprised and said: "I thought it had to be somebody else."

Many expected McIlroy to become only the third golfer to win the award after Dai Rees (1957) and Nick Faldo (1989). But it was a case of déjà vu for the Northern Irishman as he failed to win in his third attempt following his nominations in 2011 and 2012.

Even though he won the Open Championship, US PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup, the 25-year-old could only manage 20% of the votes.

Cristiano Ronaldo picked up another award on Sunday, as he was voted Overseas Sports Personality of the Year. The 29-year-old Portuguese forward scored 51 goals last season as his side won the Champions League and he claimed the Ballon d'Or.